Imajean Ray Allen

Imajean Ray Allen, age 83, of Rocky Spring Heights, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 21st, 2025, at Mission Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. A native of Mitchell County, she was the daughter of the late Blaine and Evelyn Bennett Ray. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life and husband of 65 years, Lloyd Avon Allen.

Imajean grew up in Mitchell County, having spent all 12 years of school at Tipton Hill. A large part of her childhood was spent exploring Mt. Mitchell with her dad who worked many years with both the U.S. Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service. As a teenage girl, a young man named Avon captured her heart and a love that spanned 65 years was born, building a life together that was rooted in her faith in the Lord and the family they made together. She attended Mayland Community College for business classes, and worked for a while at Fortner Insurance Agency and for Dr. Forrest McCall. The Lord was the most important thing in life to her, grounded in her church, worshipping and singing. She loved having nice things for her home, and was known as a classy little lady with taste. She was a cheery, happy woman, always filling her home with her smiles and laughter, and was the epitome of the perfect housewife. And next to God, nothing was more important to her than her family, especially the love she showered on her two adored great-granddaughters who lovingly knew her as Nana. Before she laid down at night, she always made sure everyone was home and safe. Her presence as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother will be deeply missed, but the memories of her will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. We all hope the Good Lord has Heaven stocked with plenty of Cheerios because He'll need a large supply for Imajean.

Left to cherish Imajean's memory are her cherished daughter, Tina Hall, and her husband, Randy; her beloved grandson, Matthew Hall, and wife, Haley; and her two very special great-granddaughters, Madalyn and Harper Hall, all of Burnsville. She is also survived by two brothers-in-law: James Allen of Charleston, SC and Eugene Allen of Barnardsville; two sisters-in-law: Linda Huntley of Fairview and Teresa Allen of Florida, as well as a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 26th at West Burnsville Church of God with Rev. Randal Phillips officiating, followed by the family traveling in procession to the Allen Family Cemetery at 31 Burleson Branch Road in Barnardsville. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 2 p.m. at the church prior to the services.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Compassionate Care WNC at 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.